James M. “Jim” Heller, age 74, of Gregory, Michigan, passed away on March 8, 2022 at his home. He was born on November 30, 1947 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Neil F. and Wana M. (Prichard) Heller. After Neil’s passing, Wana later married Donald Baldus of Dexter, who was Jim’s stepfather.
Jim was raised in Dexter but spent many years in Pinckney and later Gregory. He had a long career in construction, but at his heart he was always a farmer, who felt most connected to the land and his family’s Baldus and Heller farm in Dexter, which is one of the oldest and continually operated family farms in the area.
On December 21, 1983, he married Linda S. (Adams), and she survives. Also surviving are four children, Robert Thomas of Raleigh, NC, Erik Thomas of Pinckney, Bethany (Chris) Ahern of Ypsilanti, MI, and Rachelle Philbin of Plymouth, MI; six grandchildren, Finn, Liam, Max, Sam, Axel, and Maddie; three brothers, Nick (Mary Dee) Heller of Dexter, Donald (Norma) Heller of Dexter, and Thomas (Ann Daniels) Heller of Dexter; one brother-in-law, Louis Marr of Dexter. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Barbara Marr. He was also a loving uncle and great-uncle to many nieces and nephews in the Dexter area. His family and his rescue dog, Solo, are what meant the most to him.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 12:00 noon from the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
